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George Osborne's change to trading laws endangers small stores, say retailers George Osborne's new Sunday trading laws endanger small stores, say retailers
(35 minutes later)
Independent retailers say George Osborne’s plan to hand regulation of Sunday trading to individual towns and cities could put small local stores at risk.Independent retailers say George Osborne’s plan to hand regulation of Sunday trading to individual towns and cities could put small local stores at risk.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), which represents thousands of small independent grocery outlets, condemned the proposal set to be unveiled in Wednesday’s budget, saying it would not increase trade on high streets and would threaten the livelihoods of convenience store owners. Under current laws, small shops can stay open all day on Sundays but large sites such as supermarkets are limited to trading for six hours.The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), which represents thousands of small independent grocery outlets, condemned the proposal set to be unveiled in Wednesday’s budget, saying it would not increase trade on high streets and would threaten the livelihoods of convenience store owners. Under current laws, small shops can stay open all day on Sundays but large sites such as supermarkets are limited to trading for six hours.
Related: Budget 2015: George Osborne to shake up Sunday trading lawsRelated: Budget 2015: George Osborne to shake up Sunday trading laws
James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said: “In areas where large stores’ trading hours are extended, we will simply see the same amount of trade spread over more hours and shifting from small stores to large stores, as was the case when the laws were suspended for the 2012 London Olympics, when overall retail sales actually fell.”James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said: “In areas where large stores’ trading hours are extended, we will simply see the same amount of trade spread over more hours and shifting from small stores to large stores, as was the case when the laws were suspended for the 2012 London Olympics, when overall retail sales actually fell.”
Research conducted by the lobby group in February 2015 found that three quarters of the public support the existing Sunday trading regulations. Of those who are in favour of change, 60% called for greater restrictions on trading hours. Research conducted by the lobby group in February 2015 found that three quarters of the public supported the existing Sunday trading regulations. Of those who are in favour of change, 60% called for greater restrictions on trading hours.
The Rural Shops Alliance (RSA), which represents 7,500 retailers, said the government’s new plan flew in the face of a Conservative party manifesto promise to protect the future of 3,000 rural post offices.The Rural Shops Alliance (RSA), which represents 7,500 retailers, said the government’s new plan flew in the face of a Conservative party manifesto promise to protect the future of 3,000 rural post offices.
Related: Osborne to unveil Sunday trading consultation despite PM's reassuranceRelated: Osborne to unveil Sunday trading consultation despite PM's reassurance
“The vast majority of these Post Offices are sited within a rural convenience store and hence their very existence depends on the host store remaining profitable,” the lobby group said. “There is universal agreement that the existing Sunday trading laws provide a modest but very welcome boost to smaller convenience stores, which are able to meet customers’ needs at times on Sundays when larger stores are closed.” “The vast majority of these post offices are sited within a rural convenience store and hence their very existence depends on the host store remaining profitable,” the lobby group said. “There is universal agreement that the existing Sunday trading laws provide a modest but very welcome boost to smaller convenience stores, which are able to meet customers’ needs at times on Sundays when larger stores are closed.”
The RSA said that there had been no mention of an extension to Sunday trading hours in the Tory manifesto among hundreds of proposals over 84 pages. Meanwhile, less than three months ago, the Conservatives wrote to the Keep Sunday Special Campaign, which has fought against an extension of trading hours, saying it had “no current plans to relax Sunday trading laws.” The RSA said there had been no mention of an extension to Sunday trading hours in the Tory manifesto among hundreds of proposals over 84 pages. Meanwhile, less than three months ago, the Conservatives wrote to the Keep Sunday Special Campaign, which has fought against an extension of trading hours, saying it had “no current plans to relax Sunday trading laws”.
While some major retailers, including Asda and Morrisons, support extending opening hours on a Sunday, others have been less enthusiastic. Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose have all said they would respond to whatever the government decided to do. Sainsbury’s declined to comment, but former chief executive Justin King has said that “maintaining Sunday’s special status has great merit” for both customers and staff. In a 2012 letter to the Sunday Telegraph he warned that extending trading hours was not a “magic answer” to the UK’s economic regeneration. Some major retailers, including Asda and Morrisons, support extending opening hours on a Sunday, but others have been less enthusiastic. Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose have all said they would respond to whatever the government decided to do. Sainsbury’s declined to comment, but former chief executive Justin King has said that “maintaining Sunday’s special status has great merit” for both customers and staff. In a 2012 letter to the Sunday Telegraph, he warned that extending trading hours was not a “magic answer” to the UK’s economic regeneration.